Regular Council Meeting

Held first reading of ordinance for large-scale amendment and zoning assignment. Property is undeveloped, approximately 1,056.76 acres located east of Highway 331 intersection with Highway 20, and north and south of state road 20 and county road 3280. Current future land use is urban development and rural residential with some industrial. Requested changes: area north of Highway 20 to be industrial and commercial; area south adjacent to Black Creek to be mixed use. Zoning requested includes medium-density residential, general commercial, light industrial, medium industrial, and residential commercial. Future plans include sports complex to be donated to city, sheriff's substation to be donated to Walton County Sheriff's Department, and school to be donated to Walton County School District. Development will proceed by master plan to be submitted for council approval later. Ordinance transmitted to state for review; second reading and public hearing scheduled after state approval and notification requirements met.

Where: Highway 331 and Highway 20 intersection, state road 20, county road 3280, parcel reference numbers: 12-IS-19-23000-003-0000, 13-IS-19-23000-003-0000, 24-IS-19-23000-001-0010, 25-IS-19-23000-001-0000, 25-IS-19-23000-001-0001, 25-IS-19-23000-004-0000, 25-IS-19-23000-001-0010, 36-IS-19-23000-001-0012, 11-IS-19-23000-001-0040, 12-IS-19-23000-002-0000, 12-IS-19-23000-002-0001, 12-IS-19-23000-004-0000, 13-IS-19-23000-002-0000, 13-IS-19-23000-001-0000, 18-IS-18-14000-002-0000, 18-IS-18-14000-003-0000, 19-IS-18-14000-001-0000, 35-IS-19-23000-002-0030, 36-IS-19-23000-001-0020, 36-IS-19-23000-001-0000, 01-2S-19-24000-001-0005, 01-2S-19-24000-001-0000, 01-2S-19-24000-001-0050

Part of project: Carr Large Scale Amendment and Rezoning

City Attorney provided informational update on Marquis Way project. Efforts are underway to identify proper ownership and conveyance records for parcels necessary for the project. Fair market value offers will be made on appraised values before any legal proceedings are initiated. This is standard practice consistent with Florida Department of Transportation procedures for right-of-way acquisition in road construction projects. Legal notices will be sent out indicating intent to proceed; these will not come back to council for approval but may be heard by public once sent. Document packages substantially prepared; dates and compliance measures to be set. Goal is to complete compliance before end of statutory response window. Project is expected to proceed quickly over the first two months of the year due to commitments to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Where: Marquis Way

Councilman Dickey provided copies of the Action Report and Tentative Work Program for the next 5 years from the last TPO meeting. Councilwoman Haffner noted disappointment that Highway 20 planning is not listed besides resurfacing. Planning process for Highway 20 is ongoing.

Where: Highway 20

Approved standard utility easement for Chelco to run power to the Community Center. Legal approved the form sufficiency; it is a standard utility right of way agreement.

Approved execution of easement and transfer of 10 Environmental Resource Credits (ERCs) to Alaqua Animal Refuge for a lift station at one of two planned lift station locations on 20 East going to Quail Run. This is part of a land exchange for 100 ft x 100 ft piece of land.

Where: 20 East on Quail Run

Clarified misinformation on social media regarding Casey Park Playground. Playground is not going away; spidernetting will be moving to Barrier Free Park and swingsets will be coming back to the playground. Marse Landing Composite Decking project is being completed in phases due to cost. Budgeted $20,000 initially, then added another $20,000 to complete the section. Approximately halfway completed; waiting for more materials. When current section is complete, work will move to another section. All lights are working and all bulbs have been replaced.

• $20,000 · initial budget for Marse Landing Composite Decking
• $20,000 · additional amount added to complete section of Marse Landing Composite Decking

Where: Casey Park; Barrier Free Park; Marse Landing

Clarified policy for early morning access to Sports Complex pickleball courts. Courts will remain closed until 9 a.m. to allow parks maintenance to occur and to address concerns from Middle School and Sheriff Department about heavy traffic. After 9 a.m., courts are open to public on first-come, first-serve basis. No tournaments scheduled initially. Public can still access the park before 9 a.m. by walking from workout stations; vehicles not permitted before 9 a.m. Only one complaint received about early access to courts.

Approved on consent agenda, including bills, minutes from November 12 and December 10, 2024, Okaloosa Gas service line extension, Budget Amendment #2, and Revenue & Expenditure Reports through November 2024. Motion carried 3-0.

Approved purchase of new air conditioning unit for City Hall from Odis Brown after competitive bidding. Includes maintenance agreement.

• $10,200.00 · new air conditioning unit from Odis Brown

Approved Interlocal Agreement with Walton County School District for joint usage of athletic fields. Agreement allows for efficient sharing of city and school fields, with departments designated to manage field use schedules. Can terminate with 60 days' notice, with a two-month lead time to make seasonal changes. First calendar year usage expected to begin by end of month and certainly by spring.

Mayor Barley presented Employee of the 1st Quarter award to Heidi Manger in recognition of dedication, passion, and hard work for residents. Employee of the Year award presented to Rebecca King in recognition of dedication, passion, and hard work for residents.

Informational update on 6th Annual Westonwood Ranch PCA Charity Rodeo scheduled for March 28th and 29th. No presales on tickets; all tickets will be sold at the door. No council action necessary.